Dennis Gulledge

The apostle Peter wrote, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:14-15).
Where the King James Version and New King James Bible use the word “busybody,” in 1 Peter 4:15, other translations use “meddler” (English Study Bible, ASV, ESV). A busybody is one who concerns himself improperly with other people’s matters.
The word for “busybody” in the Greek is unique in all of literature. It is a compound from allotrio, “belonging to another,” and episkopos, the word for bishop or overseer. Literally, it means, “a self-appointed overseer of the affairs of others.” It is, therefore, well expressed by the word “meddler.”
Note the undesirable company of the busybody – he stands among criminals. If we are ever tempted to pry into the affairs of another we need to consider the manner of company into which our misguided interest places us. How does the busybody suffer? Such persons are the objects of universal dislike and scorn. We should be busy enough just tending to our own business!

WAR: PACIFISM OR NON-PACIFISM?

Dennis Gulledge

We are again a nation at war. Times have changed. War has changed. It used to be that the two issues at debate were pacifism and non-pacifism. A pacifist is strongly and actively opposed to war. A non-pacifist defends war under justifiable circumstances.
As we hear diverse sentiments over the objective of war with Iraq, it is interesting to note that dissenting voices have always swirled around the conflicts of nations. Prior to and during World War II, the pacifist and non-pacifist debate raged in the Lord’s church. It is safe to say that the “fur flew.” Alexander Campbell’s “Address on War” (1848) became the Magna Carta of pacifism for a century. Ira Y. Rice, Jr., supported pacifism as editor of the Christian Soldier in the early 1940s. Both the Firm Foundation and the Gospel Advocate pled for pacifism. David Lipscomb’s strongly pacifistic book, Civil Government, wielded a long lasting influence over both David Lipscomb College and the brotherhood at large.
In contrast to the above G. C. Brewer took the non-pacifist position. Brewer reflected, in the Gospel Advocate (May 3, 1934, p. 420), that during World War I there was much bitterness among brethren over the war question. That bitterness would continue through the years of the Second World War. Conscientious Objectors were seen as unpatriotic, disloyal and pro-German. Foy E. Wallace, Jr., editor of the Bible Banner (1938) came out as a pacifist. Wallace, as many brethren were, was sympathetic to David Lipscomb’s position in Civil Government. In 1942, however, Wallace did an about face on the war debate, taking the non-pacifist stance. Wallace’s move alienated him from a number of brethren. John T. Lewis, of Birmingham, Alabama, took up the pen and turned up the heat of the controversy in his book, The Christian and the Government. Lewis reviewed the later non-pacifist position of Wallace in the Bible Banner. Other non-pacifist brethren, such as O. C. Lambert, Cled E. Wallace, W. E. Brightwell, G. C. Brewer, and R. L. Whiteside, were not spared Lewis’ critical analysis. Foy E. Wallace, Jr., included O. C. Lambert’s review of the Lewis book in his 1968 work The Christian and the Government. In 1946 James D. Bales and P. W. Stonestreet engaged in a written debate on the war question. Bales took the pacifist position and Stonestreet the other. Years later, brother Bales changed his position.
Brethren were very dogmatic on both sides of this issue. We will not be judged by the words of men, but by the words of Jesus (Jn. 12:48). Even so, it is profitable to note both sides of the controversy. Difficult times bring out the best and the worst in people as it did in this period. The issues involved are complex, and do not easily lend themselves to a simple solution. In view of all that the New Testament teaches on the subject, it is probably wise for the individual Christian to make his choice in light his knowledge of the Bible and his conscience.

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 13 MARCH 31, 2003

OUR SICK

Blanche Wherry, mother of Charlene Mauldin, is in Room 302 of Baptist Rehab.
Eleanor White came home on Thursday.
Ruth West, sister of Eunice Watson, is still in the hospital in Arizona.
Emma Lou Adams, sister of Carolyn Howell and Waymon Minor is scheduled for surgery at UAMS on Thursday.
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RESPONSE

To be restored on March 30th, Barry Williams.
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THANK YOU

Thank you for all the prayers, calls, cards, visits and flowers since the recent death of my sister, Pearl Martin. Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated
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SINGING

For all who want to sing there will be singing in the auditorium for one hour after the Sunday evening service on each 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sunday. The first singing will be on April 13th. Singing will begin 15 minutes after the end of the worship service.
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BRIDAL SHOWER

A reminder to all the ladies of the Bridal Shower for Carol Ann Shoptaw on Sunday, April 6th at 3:30 PM in the multipurpose room.
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SERMONS FOR APRIL 6

Morning
Is The Gospel Still Revelant? (Matthew 28:18-20)
Evening
The Family Of God (Ephesians 3:14-19)
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Daylight Saving Time Begins April 6

NEW ADDRESSES

Emma Brown, 4 Quail Run Circle Apt 2, Little Rock, AR 72210
Laura Young, 582 N 28 Apt C, Springfield, OR 97477.
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SEARCH

Week of April 6
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
One of the highlights of the life of Jesus Christ is His baptism of John in the Jordan. It is impossible to tell the whole story of His earthly sojourn and avoid telling about His baptism. Let us see what we can learn from it that we can apply to our own baptismal experience.

EVENTS OF INTEREST

April 6….........…...Daylight Savings TimeBegins
April 6……….…...Bridal Shower for Carol Ann Shoptaw
April 8……………All Comers Class
April 15…..………All Comers Class
April 15…………..Tuesday Evening Ladies Class

OUR RECORD MARCH 30, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 226
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 189
P.M. WORSHIP 165
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 146

CONTRIBUTION 5699
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
April 6, 2003

Nicolas Lowe Robert Overbey
Jim Mauldin Waymon Minor
Dale Morris Mike Moore
Nathan Moore Darrell Orick

Evening Doug Parker
Scott Perry
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

April 9 Scott Perry
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USHERS FOR APRIL

Morning Tim King & Wally Davis
Evening Greg King & Nicolas Lowe
Wednesday Rick & Danny Wooldridge
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GREETERS FOR APRIL

Greg & Cheryl King
Cliff Boyd
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

April Roger Horton
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